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black history month, black history month magazine, diversity month, news, racism in the uk, uk black history month, uk caribbean heritage, windrush generation, windrush scandal - October 04, 2018

Goodbye British ‘Black History Month’? Cyber-Racism and Whitewashing Mar U.K. Celebration

For the past 20 years, October has marked the start of Black History Month in the U.K. (a whole 31 days! Imagine!) But this year, the event has been mired in controversy, with one prominent Black History Month site recently targeted by hackers and some local councils now opting to rebrand October as “Diversity Month.”

Catholic school deletes photo of student in blackface due to backlash

A Catholic school in Miami has sparked outrage after it posted a photo of a student wearing blackface on its website. The photo, which was reportedly taken during a Black History Month celebration, shows fourth-graders from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School dressed as famous African-Americans. However, one student, dressed as former Secretary of State Colin […]

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At Grambling, we celebrate black history year-round The black love, the speakers, the fun and the education become part of you every day

Knowing and being surrounded by my black history is nothing new to me. My elementary school experiences were entirely related to black culture because I attended African-centered schools — NationHouse Watoto School, Kuumba Learning Center and Ujamaa Shule, all in Washington, D.C. — until I began public school in seventh grade. Since I matriculated at […]

Until I got to North Carolina A&T, I didn’t know enough black history By learning how powerful black people are, I learned just how powerful I am

For many African-Americans, February is a time of reflection and celebration. Many look back on the trials and tribulations that have oppressed our people and show their appreciation for the brave men and women who fought to make a better way of life for the next generation. As an African-American kid who grew up attending […]

Emlen Tunnell: the first black player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Defensive standout played 14 seasons in the NFL

Emlen Tunnell was the first black player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Born: March 29, 1925 Died: July 23, 1975 His story: Tunnell, born in Philadelphia, played football at the University of Toledo in 1942. He suffered a broken neck, which cut short his season, but he recovered in time […]

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Black History Month, Hampton University - February 27, 2018

How I discovered my true black self at Hampton University Black History Month is more than Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and BET

Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and BET. For the past 15 years, those were my primary teachers of black history. It’s sad to say, but true. Today, I am at Hampton University, one of the top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the country, embracing my blackness daily. Professors and programs educate as […]

Bobby Grier: broke the color barrier in the Sugar Bowl Georgia’s governor wanted to block Georgia Tech from playing against Pittsburgh in 1956

Bobby Grier was the first black football player to play in a bowl game in the South. Born: 1933 His story: Grier grew up in Massillon, Ohio, and played fullback and linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh during the 1952-55 seasons. When the Panthers made it to the 1956 Sugar Bowl against Georgia Tech, there […]

Morehouse allowed this black man to step outside the stereotypes I almost didn’t go here, but four years later, I’m glad I did

I was not supposed to attend Morehouse. Left to my own devices, I would’ve been at “The U” — enjoying Miami’s sunshine and great football while trying to forget the $60,000 worth of debt I would have accumulated during the past four years. It would’ve undoubtedly been an amazing college experience, yet I’d be missing […]

Young Poets Celebrate Black History Month in the Bronx Museum of the Arts

On February 23rd, the Bronx Museum of the Arts hosted an African-American History and Culture celebration lead by Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson and State Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner.

The post Young Poets Celebrate Black History Month in the Bronx Museum of the Arts appeared first on theGrio.

Bernie Custis: the first black pro quarterback to start in the modern era Syracuse standout found success in Canada

Bernie Custis is widely considered to be the first black quarterback to start in the pros in the modern era. He started for Canada’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1951. Born: Sept. 23, 1928 Died: Feb. 23, 2017 His story: Custis, who grew up in Philadelphia, played quarterback for Syracuse University from 1948-50. The Cleveland Browns drafted […]

From ‘Dawson’s Creek’ to ‘Buffy’ to ‘Frasier’ to ‘Seinfeld’ — what happened to those lone, ‘token’ black actors? Eight talents tell stories of offensive scripts, stunt people in blackface and the heartbreak — and hope — of portraying Thug No. 2 and the...

This is about television in the 1990s, but let’s start with a quick, tragic and important trip to 1975. Happy Days is about to deliver its infamous and most cringeworthy episode. In “Fonzie’s New Friend,” the leather jacket-clad Fonz meets up with Sticks Downey, a new-to-town wisecracking drummer. The Fonz decides that Sticks, played with […]

The Man Who Initiated the ‘Back to Africa’ Venture: Paul Cuffe

Paul Cuffe (1759-1817) In 1815 Cuffe sailed for the West coast of Africa with 38 […]

Can ‘Black Panther’ Be Used to Teach Colonialism In Africa? One Teacher Thinks So

Marvel’s “Black Panther” has made way from the silver screen to the classroom, thanks to […]

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Black History Month, Commentary - February 23, 2018

24 books for white people to read beyond Black History Month These great reads will help any reader discover the rich range of the African-American experience

For many years I was a clueless white guy. I suffered from one-ness. What I really needed was two-ness, and maybe three-ness and four-ness. I came to see my whiteness not as privilege but as insufficiency, thanks to W. E. B. Du Bois and his 1903 book The Souls of Black Folk. In a remarkable […]

White Folks Are Begging for a ‘White History Month’ — Again

It’s that time of year again when the celebratory occasion that is Black History Month […]

The best Black History Month trips to Harlem, Philadelphia and Washington DC

As travel amongst Black Americans takes off, what better time to explore more of the United States and dive deeper into Black culture and history than in February.

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Alice Coachman: the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal She took the high jump at the 1948 Olympics in London

Alice Coachman was the first black woman to earn an Olympic gold medal, winning the high jump at the 1948 Olympics. Born: Nov. 9, 1923 Died: July 14, 2014 Her story: Coachman was born in Albany, Georgia, and faced two barriers in training to become an athlete: She was black and she was a woman. […]

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Black History Month, Commentary - February 22, 2018

There is so much to love about my HBCU, Morgan State At 150 years old, traditions like homecoming mean so much for students and alumni

I love my HBCU. Talk to just about any group of students or alumni from a historically black college or university (HBCU) and you’ll hear that phrase a few times. Nobody can take away the pride of being a product of an HBCU. Students at Morgan State University know that sense of pride. Morgan is […]

Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor: world champion cyclist He was the second black world champion

Marshall “Major” Taylor was an African-American cyclist who raced in the late 1800s and early 1900s, establishing several world records. Born: Nov. 26, 1878 Died: June 21, 1932 His story: Taylor was born in Indianapolis, where his father worked as a carriage driver for a white family. Taylor grew close to the family and ended […]

New Malcolm X documentary unearths riveting footage of legendary leader

Today marks the 53rd anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X...

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Black History Month, NASCAR, NHRA, Nicole Lyons - February 20, 2018

Nicole Lyons: the first black woman in NHRA’s Top Sportsman Division She also is an engine-building expert

Nicole Lyons is the first African-American female driver to race in the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Sportsman Division. Her story: Lyons, who followed in her father’s footsteps as a race car driver and engine builder, started in the NHRA Super Street class in 2005, then moved on to Super Gas and Super Comp the […]

Bill Lester: the first black driver to win a Grand Am race He left his day job to pursue racing full time

Bill Lester is the first black driver to win a Grand Am race. Born: Feb. 6, 1961 His story: Lester was born in Washington, D.C. and moved with his family to the San Francisco, California area. His parents took him to a race track when he was 8 years old, and from there he was […]

Wendell Scott: the first black driver in NASCAR He also was the first to win a Grand National race

Wendell Scott was the first black driver in NASCAR and the first to win a race at its highest level. Born: Aug. 29, 1921 Died: Dec. 23, 1990 His story: Scott was born in Danville, Virginia. He learned to be an auto mechanic from his father and opened a shop after serving in the Army […]

Moviegoers, In African Garb, Share Their Excitement Over ‘Black Panther’ Film Because It’s ‘Not About Slavery’ or ‘Trials and Tribulations’

The vibrant African fashion of “Black Panther” was on display at multiplexes around the country […]

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Black History Month, Dutty Boukman, History - February 17, 2018

Dutty Boukman, The Fearless Leader Who Helped Spark the Haitian Revolution

Dutty Boukman ( ??? – November 7, 1791) Dutty Boukman was born in Jamaica but […]

Parents wants principal fired after she refuses to allow Black History Month lessons

Protesters, from a Bronx rally, want Principal Patricia Catania fired now, due to her refusal to allow the teaching of Black History Month lessons. According to the NY Daily News, Principal Catania “confiscated a black history project and berated an English teacher for giving lessons about the Harlem Renaissance at a school ironically just miles […]

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Charlie Wiggins: the ‘Negro Speed King’ Colored Speedway Association driver also was a skilled mechanic

Charlie Wiggins, the “Negro Speed King,” was a driver and mechanic who fought segregation in auto racing in the early 20th century. Born: July 15, 1897 Died: March 11, 1979 His story: Wiggins, born in Evansville, Indiana, competed in the segregated Midwest. He also was a top mechanic in Evansville before moving to Indianapolis and […]

Black Panther Obsessed? How to not get fired after seeing the movie

As we enthusiastically support Black Panther (the Blackest movie ever created), let's make sure we have an ounce of behavior at work. Here's a guide to enjoying opening weekend and not getting fired for going all Wakanda at work.

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It’s 25 years old: Tupac’s ‘Keep Ya Head Up’ is hip-hop’s definitive ode to black women ‘Tupac cares, if don’t nobody else care …’

Tupac Shakur’s 1993 sophomore album, Strictly 4 My N.-.-.-.A.Z., was his last “pure” album. The project predates the cultural controversies, his sexual assault case, his incarceration, the 1994 Quad Studio shooting and the Death Row era that became his life’s final chapter. Released Feb. 16, 1993, S4MN is a fluid, aggressive, emotional and erratic project […]

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AutoRacing, Black History Month, Willy T. Ribbs - February 15, 2018

Willy T. Ribbs: first black driver to qualify for Indy 500 He also was first to test a Formula One car

Willy T. Ribbs is the first African-American race car driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and the first to drive a Formula One car. Born: Jan. 3, 1955 His story: Ribbs was born in San Jose, California. His father, William Ribbs Sr., was an amateur sports car racer. The younger Ribbs would drive his […]

Debi Thomas: the first black athlete to win a medal in the Winter Olympics Figure skater earned bronze in 1988

Debi Thomas became the first African-American athlete to earn a medal in the Winter Olympics when she took the bronze in women’s figure skating in 1988. Born: March 25, 1967 Her story: Thomas was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and started skating at age 5. She won her first competition at age 9. In 1986, […]

8 Black folks who are permanently banned from the cookout

Here are eight Black people who went and showed their entire behinds to the world and as such, are forever banned from the cookout.

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Is Black History Month a racist celebration? This professor thinks so and you might agree

Black History is essentially a retelling of the past that is “limited” to one month of the year, which in fact, only continues legacies of denial and denigration of Black life and Black contributions.

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